We use cookies to customise content for your subscription and for analytics.If you continue to browse Lexology, we will assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. For further information please read our Cookie Policy.

FDA guidance on reproductive and developmental toxicities

On September 23, 2011, FDA released guidance entitled “Reproductive and Developmental Toxicities--Integrating Study Results to Assess Concerns.” The guidance describes an approach to estimating possible human developmental or reproductive risks associated with drug or biological product exposure when a finding of toxicity has been identified, but definitive human data are unavailable. The guidance is intended for drug developers intending to submit NDAs and BLAs, and who are assessing nonclinical toxicity information. The recommendations included will also help to ensure a consistent review of reproductive and developmental toxicity data among Center for Drug Evaluation and Research review staff.

The guidance does not: (1) give detailed advice about labeling or placement of toxicity information in product labeling (for information on labeling, see 21 CFR 201.57); or (2) discuss clinical data, the integration of nonclinical and clinical data, or the clinical implications of these data. The approach presented in the guidance for assessing nonclinical reproductive and developmental toxicity data involves the integration and careful consideration of a variety of different types of nonclinical information: Reproductive toxicology; general toxicology; and toxicokinetic and pharmacokinetic information, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination findings. The approach is used when there is a toxicity finding and focuses on assessing the likelihood that a drug will increase the risk of adverse human developmental or reproductive outcomes. The approach includes noting when studies were not conducted or when they were not performed using relevant model systems or at appropriate dose ranges.

FDA released a prior draft of this guidance in 2001, however, one important change has been made. The description of a process that involved assignment of values of +1, -1 or 0 to the various factors was removed from the guidance. Comments on the guidance may be submitted at any time.